Tip # 14 Listening Part 1: Problem-Solving Dialogue: predict the flow,3. Focus on Key Transitions, tone shifts, Advice steps and implications

.

Pre-Listening Tips
1. Predict the Flow
✔ Dialogue 1: Problem → Rejected Advice → Alternative Advice → Commitment
✔ Dialogue 2: New Issue → Further Advice → Revised Plan
✔ Dialogue 3: Resolution + Social Talk

2. Note-Taking Template
Speaker 1 (Problem)           Speaker 2 (Solver)
States problem (P)             Suggests alternative (A1)
Rejects suggestion (R1)     Offers another alternative(A2)
Accepts (R2)                         Confirms (CR)

3. Focus on Key Transitions, tone shifts and implications
✔ Tone Shifts: Frustration → Relief → Humor
✔ Implied Meaning: "I already tried that" = Rejection
✔ Steps in Advice: "First, X. Then, Y."
4. Answer Strategies
✔ Eliminate Impossible Choices First:

• Remove options contradicting the problem’s core goal.
  ✔ Beware Traps:
• Correct answers often paraphrase the dialogue.
• Wrong answers may use exact words out of context.

 Dialogue 1: Lost Luggage

Woman: "Hi. My suitcase didn’t arrive at baggage claim! I’ve asked the airline, but they just said to wait." The problem is that I can't wait. I mean I need to be somewhere in another hour and more importantly, I need my medication.
Man: "It is frustrating but let's make it go faster by going through a few steps. Did you file a report at the counter?"
Woman: "Yes, an hour ago. They claimed it’s ‘on the way,’ but I need my medication!"
Man: "Ok good - that's the first step. Now second...Try the overflow storage area—sometimes bags get misplaced there."
Woman: "Good idea! I’ll check now."

Q1. Why is the woman frustrated?
a) The airline lost her passport
b) She needs urgent medical supplies
c) Her flight was delayed
d) The counter staff were rude

Q2. What does the man suggest first?
a) Waiting longer
b) Filing another report
c) Checking a different location
d) Calling security

Q3. What is the woman likely to do next

1. Get an overflow luggage ticket
2. Waiting longer
3. Check a different location
4. Calling security

Dialogue 2: Storage Area Issue

Woman: "The storage area was locked! The attendant won’t be back for hours."
Man: "Ugh, typical airport chaos. Did you see that jazz band playing near Gate 5? Distracting, but kinda fun."
Woman: "What? No—I’ve been sprinting around like a headless chicken! This is such a nightmare."
Man: "Hmm. Have you checked the airline’s app? They sometimes track bags in real time."
Woman: "I swear, technology hates me. My phone battery’s at 5%... Oh wait, I’ve got a charger. Let me try."
Man: "Nice! My cousin’s a pilot—he says the app’s glitchy but usually right."
Woman: "No, but I’ll download it now... Oh! It shows my bag’s at Gate 12!"
Man: "Perfect! Head there before it’s moved again. Maybe grab a coffee after—you’ve earned it!"

Q4. What new problem arises?
a) The app isn’t working
b) The bag was stolen
c) Gate 12 is closed
d) The storage area is inaccessible

Q5. How does the man help this time?
a) By escorting her to Gate 12
b) By suggesting technology
c) By reprimanding staff
d) By offering his phone

Q6. What will the woman likely do next?

1. Go to Gate 12
2. Go on her app
3. Grab a coffee.
4. Wait for the overflow area to open

 

Dialogue 3: Resolution

Woman: "You were right! My bag was at Gate 12—thank you so much!"
Man: "Glad to help! Hey, was that your dog’s photo on the luggage tag? Cute pup!"
Woman: "Oh, yeah! That’s Bruno. He’d probably handle this better than me—I was panicking so hard!"
Man: "Now, about that medication... you’d think airlines could prioritize medical bags, eh?"
Woman: "[Laughs] Tell me about it! Next time, I’m strapping it to my chest!"
Man: "Like a kangaroo! Seriously though, safe travels. Maybe Bruno can guard your bag next flight."

Q6. What does the man imply about airlines?
a) They’re understaffed
b) They should improve handling of certain bags
c) They lose bags intentionally
d) They have good tracking systems

Q8. The humor in the last line relies on:
a) Exaggeration
b) Sarcasm
c) Wordplay
d) Irony
 
Answers at end
 
Post-Listening Assessment
Self-Checklist
✔ Did I track the problem-advice cycle accurately?
✔ Did I note tone changes (frustration → relief → humor)?
✔ Did I avoid trap answers with out-of-context keywords?
Reflection Questions

1. Which implied meaning was hardest to catch? (e.g., Q6’s criticism of airlines)
2. Did I misinterpret any advice steps? (e.g., Q4’s tech solution vs. physical help)
3. How can I better anticipate social talk cues? (e.g., laughter = humor questions)

Pro Tip: Practice with customer service calls (e.g., tech support). Focus on:

• Problem → Rejected Solution → Final Fix structure
• Tone shifts from angry to satisfied

Why This Mirrors CELPIP

• Progressive Difficulty: Dialogue 3 tests social nuance after factual Qs.
• Real-World Context: Lost luggage is a common travel scenario.
• Tricky Distractors: Q2’s "filing another report" sounds plausible but was already tried.

Answer Key
1. b | 2. c | 3. b | 4. d | 5. b | 6. a | 7. b | 8. a